US golf resort gives all profit to cancer research and other charities

Leading American golf resort, Huntsman Springs, which has just begun marketing its property to foreign investors, donates all its profits to cancer research and other charities

A top American golf resort community and nature reserve, which has just started marketing its property to overseas buyers, is diverting all its profits into cancer research and other charities.

Rustic-style mountain homes at Huntsman Springs, a 1350-acre golf resort community and nature reserve in the Teton Valley, Idaho, currently start at US$749,000/£450,000 and go to US$1.89million/£1.14million. Prices are around half of similar homes in the nearby Jackson Hole ski resort, it is claimed.

Its owner is international businessman, four-time cancer survivor, Jon Huntsman, who is the second largest philanthropist in America after Bill Gates and all profit from Huntsman Springs is donated to cancer research and other good causes.

In 1995, Jon and Karen Huntsman founded the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, which is now one of America’s major cancer research centres and features leading-edge research laboratories and a state-of-the-art hospital treating cancer patients. Jon Huntsman tries to visit patients at the Institute every week.

A recently-announced US$100million expansion will double the laboratory space and create the Primary Children’s and Families’ Cancer Research Center, focusing exclusively on inherited and childhood cancers.

Spokesman David Pearson, who handles Huntsman Springs public relations, told OPP Connect, “I have been in business for thirty-five years and I have never come across anything like this.

“We have just started putting the fact that all profits go to charity in our adverts and on our website. The sales people tell us that everyone refers to it in their conversations.

“If you are buying something, maybe the fact that the profit that the developer is making may help cure cancer for children, rather than the one next door, may make a difference.”

Homes currently for sale include four to six bedroom Mountain View Lodges overlooking the golf course and Big Hole Mountains and Teton Mountain Range, ranging from US$1.39million/£840,000 to US$1.89million/£1.14million. Prices include all furniture and furnishings, estimated to be worth approximately £180,000.

Seven family park areas with separate themes including picnic, tennis and basketball are planned and Park Homes, ranging from 2,450 to 2,750 square feet of finished living space with two car garages cost from $749,000/£450,000 to $769,000/£463,000, including furnishings.

So far, around 25 lodge homes have been completed at Huntsman Springs and around 25 plots have been sold, which are among sites overlooking the golf course and nature reserve being sold on a freehold basis. Next month, the site’s 4,500 square foot Wellness Centre is due to be finished.

The property has just started being marketed to overseas buyers in the UK, Canada and Mexico.

Other facilities include a with a state-of-the-art fitness facility, private fitness coaching, and classes on topics such as holistic nutrition, wellness coaching, yoga and more; a two mile board walk across the 1350 acre wildlife reserve and wetlands, ponds for fishing, ice rink and restaurant. Further phases will include a 109-unit Hotel and Lodge, further restaurants, a large outdoor swimming pool, and shops.

The resort and the size of the properties are perfect for families, says Jon Huntsman. “Today’s lifestyle and family pressures are so demanding. There are too many things vying for our attention. I hope Huntsman Springs will provide a respite from life’s stresses and allow families to reconnect.”

The Huntsman Springs area previously populated by cowboys, who herded the region’s wild horses in the early 1900s, is still teeming with wildlife, including wild buffalo, moose, elk, wolves and bears.

The seven mile long Teton Valley is a relatively hidden gem, with prices are approximately 50% cheaper than Jackson Hole that draws outdoor pursuits enthusiasts all-year round.

The centrepiece of Huntsman Springs is an acclaimed par-72 golf course designed by Scotsman David McLay Kidd, which was rated by Golfweek Magazine as the third best course in the United States on its 2013 Best Residential Courses list.

The activities in the area vary through the seasons from discovering the natural wonders of nearby Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, world-class fly fishing on the Snake and Teton Rivers, excellent skiing at nearby Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole, hiking and rafting through canyons and the surrounding mountains and horse-riding.

Successful businessmen, politicians and stars from stage and screen who live in the area include actors Harrison Ford and Sandra Bullock, Dick Cheney (former Vice President under George W. Bush), James Wolfson (Former President of World Bank) and Paul Allen (co-founder of Microsoft).

Residents and guests from Europe arrive via scheduled flights into Jackson Airport, with United, Delta and American Airlines with routes connecting through New York JFK, Newark, Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City.

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Adrian Bishop is editor of OPP.Today and is a national award-winning editor and journalist with more than 30 years' experience. He has held several senior editorial roles in the overseas property sector.